WRW members, we would love to add YOUR workshops to our schedule. If you are interested in teaching an online workshop for WRW, please contact Kathy Schindler at .
Workshop with Editor Angela James of Carina Press
Dates: March 15th - March 29th, 2010
Cost: $10 for WRW members, $20 for nonmembers
(All registrants must provide their RWA membership #.)
See how to register via PayPal below
Join Angela James for a 2 week workshop as she shares some of the common pitfalls she’s seen in submissions and contest entries. She’ll give you ideas, tips and tricks for polishing and self-editing your manuscript. Discuss things such as dialogue tags, whether all forms of “to be” really evil and just what you’re doing to your life expectancy with your use of that exclamation point. The course will guide you from the basics of self-editing and grammar in a clear, conversational manner with examples, to more advanced topics such as show versus tell and passive voice. Through it all, she’ll be available for clarification and questions in order to help you on your way to a cleaned-up manuscript and understanding the basics of editing your manuscript.
Angela James bio
Executive editor of Carina Press, Harlequin’s digital-only press, and veteran of the digital publishing industry, Angela James is a well-known advocate for digital publishing. James has enjoyed a long and varied publishing career that has included ownership of an independent editorial services business, work as a copy editor for electronic book and small press publisher, Ellora’s Cave, and executive editor for Samhain Publishing. James frequently travels to regional, national and international writing conferences to meet with authors and readers, and present workshops on digital publishing for both authors and readers of all genres of fiction.
Cost: $10 for WRW members, $20 for nonmembers
(All registrants must provide their RWA membership #.)
See how to register via PayPal below
Can This Manuscript Be Saved?
Workshop with Author Susan Meier
Dates: August 1st - 31st, 2008
Cost: $10 for WRW members, $20 for nonmembers
(All registrants must provide their RWA membership #.)
See how to register via PayPal below
Rejected? Can’t get an agent? Can’t sell, even though your critique partners LOVE your work? Susan Meier reviews the seven most common rejection catch phrases and explains why you and even your critique partners can’t spot them, then shows how determining whether your book’s trouble is a story, scene or word problem is the first step on the road to recovery.
Following the assignments at the end of each lesson, attendees will learn how to “skim-read” their manuscripts quickly, marking specific problems with post-its. Susan also demonstrates how to use a storyboard, a list of twenty and a one-paragraph blurb to create a plan of attack for fixing your book’s trouble.
She can’t revise or rewrite your manuscript for you, but with her tricks you’ll not only see how to revise the book of your heart; you’ll also see how published authors are able to write four, five and even six books a year without breaking a sweat!
One of eleven children, Susan was born and raised in Western Pennsylvania and continues to live there with her husband, three children and two very personable cats. Susan is an avid, but terrible golfer, and a woman who desperately wants to lean to cook without having to involve the fire department. Her 2008 goals include getting involved with blogging—she but hopes no one is holding his or her breath waiting for that, losing fifteen pounds—don’t hold your breath on that one either—and figuring out the financing for an oceanfront condo in Virginia Beach. She swears she will wear Number 30 sunblock and never subject anyone to the sight of her in a bikini! (Unless asked—and paid…handsomely.)
Susan Meier is the author of over 30 books for Harlequin and Silhouette and one of Guideposts’ Grace Chapel Inn series books, The Kindness of Strangers. Her books have been finalists for Reviewers Choice Awards, National Reader’s Choice Awards and Cataromance.com Reviewer’s Choice Awards.
Her 2007 release, Her Pregnancy Surprise, made both Walden’s Bestseller List for Series Romance and Bookscan. The Millionaire’s Nanny and Her Baby’s First Christmas are her 2008 releases.
Susan loves to teach as much as she loves to write and is a popular speaker at RWA conferences. Can This Manuscript Be Saved? and Plot Points, Taking the Train to Somewhere! are her most requested workshops. Her article, “How To Write a Category Romance” appeared in 2003 Writer’s Digest Novel and Short Story Markets. Susan has also given workshops on earthlycharms.com and her articles regularly appear in RWA chapter newsletters.
Courting the Muse
Workshop with Blaze Author Tawny Weber
Dates: RESCHEDULED FROM April 14th - 27th, 2008. Please stay tuned for new dates
Cost: $10 for WRW members, $20 for nonmembers
(All registrants must provide their RWA membership #.)
See how to register via PayPal below
The art of making your writing process work for you. This workshop will look at a variety of tools that will help you recognize your writing process, and help you make the most of it. We’ll discuss training the Muse, courting the Muse and comforting the Muse with everything from the mundane of setting up an empowering writing space and creating a writing habit that works to tools such as visualizations, tarot and aromatherapy.
Harlequin Blaze author Tawny Weber is usually found dreaming up stories in her California home, surrounded by dogs, cats and kids. When she’s not writing hot, spicy stories for Harlequin Blaze, she’s testing her latest margarita recipe, shopping for the perfect pair of boots or drooling over Johnny Depp pictures (when her husband isn’t looking, of course). Tawny also spends a lot of time scrapbooking and playing in the garden. Her third Blaze, Risque Business, is out in September 2008. She blogs regularly about goals, motivation and what keeps writers going. Check out her home on the web: http://www.TawnyWeber.com.
Turn Up the Heat! Heightening Sexual Tension and Sensuality in Your Manuscript
Workshop with Author Nicole North
Dates: July 1st - 29th, 2008
Cost: $10 for WRW members, $20 for nonmembers
(All registrants must provide their RWA membership #.)
See how to register via PayPal below
Turn Up the Heat! Heightening Sexual Tension and Sensuality in Your Manuscript
Editors want to buy spicy-hot romance stories now more than ever before. How do you do it? In this class we will discuss all aspects of sexual tension and sensuality and how they relate to the developing romance in your story. You’ll learn tips for successfully building sexual tension over the course of the hero and heroine’s relationship from first glance, through climax, to happily ever after. Several examples will be used to illustrate different nuances of hot romantic chemistry and how to employ them in your own story. Learn how to avoid clichés and use sexiness in fresh new ways. Strengthening sexual tension will take your story from ho-hum to so hot and delicious your reader can’t put it down. We’ll do exercises for hands-on learning. (Please be aware this course contains explicit and frank discussions of sexuality.)
**Topics covered**
Using the five senses more effectively
Sexy talk
Word choice
First kiss
Foreplay
First love scene
How to rebuild sexual tension after sex
Why point of view is important
Hot characters
Combining physical attraction and emotion
Body language
Differences between romance and erotic romance
Revising to make a sensual romance manuscript spicy or erotic
Fun Extras
Visual inspiration
Multimedia examples and exercises
Nicole North writes sensual and erotic romance novels and novellas. She is the author of “Devil in a Kilt” a novella in Red Sage Secrets Volume 27, due out next year. She has finaled in over a dozen writing competitions and won several awards. She admits sexual tension is her favorite element of romance and sprinkles it liberally through her stories. What others have said about her works: “This author handles sexual tension very well. Her characters are completely drawn to each other...” and “Wow! Talk about sexual chemistry. This story has it in spades. You’re a natural in the romantic chemistry department.” Please visit her website to learn more and read past student testimonials: http://www.nicolenorth.com Blog: http://fierceromance.blogspot.com/
The “W” Plot…or The Other White Meat for Plotters
Workshop with Award-Winning Author Karen Docter
Dates: June 2nd - 27th, 2008
Cost: $10 for WRW members, $20 for nonmembers
(All registrants must provide their RWA membership #.)
See how to register via PayPal below
One of the staples of any writers’ group conversations is the plot. It’s integral to every novel, holds everything together. It’s the vehicle that carries readers from page one to “The End”. It’s one of the scariest things an author faces when s/he decides, hey, I want to write a novel!
How many of us have made this decision, then stared at that blank page or computer screen, without a clue how to proceed? What about those of us who write by the seat of our pants, the pantsers? Do we dare risk scaring off our muse by [shudder] plotting our story? How do the mega-plotters, the overachievers, know when it’s time to stop and just put pen to paper?
Join four-time Golden Heart finalist and Daphne du Maurier winner Karen Docter as she shares the “W” plotting technique she’s used successfully for more than 12 years.
Karen analyzes the movie “Romancing the Stone” to show how the technique works, discussing the detailed plot points for the main characters including the villain. Along the way, you’ll begin to uncover the skeleton of your own novel. Whatever your genre, by the end of the class not only will you have the tools you need to finish plotting your story using the “W”, you’ll see how easy it is to apply to the synopsis we all love to hate…all without writing one word of the novel.
If you’ve already started your novel, that’s okay. It’s never too late to apply the principles of the “W” to your developing story. Have you run into a wall? Don’t know where to go next? Has the story gone flat? Use the technique to pull apart the elements of your story so you can plug the holes, work through/over/around walls that loom in your path, and get moving on your story once again.
This is a hands-on-your-own-novel workshop designed for the novice or the experienced writer.
Karen Docter won the Category (Series) Romantic Mystery Suspense unpublished division of the 2005 Daphne du Maurier Award. She’s a four-time Golden Heart finalist and a Charter member of The Golden Network & PRO. President of Colorado Romance Writers, and member of Kiss of Death & From the Heart chapters, she writes single title romantic suspense. In addition to her thirty-year business background, she holds a B.A. in Technical Journalism. To foster literacy, she’s been a speaker at local Jr./High schools, tutored composition and reading classes, and taught college level English. She regularly judges several writing contests every year, including RWA’s Golden Heart Contest.
Basic HTML – Building a Web Page
Workshop with Author and Web designer Kathy Schindler
Dates: May 1st - 23rd, 2008
Cost: $10 for WRW members, $20 for nonmembers
(All registrants must provide their RWA membership #.)
See how to register via PayPal below
During this workshop, Kathy defines the elements needed to help writers learn enough Basic HTML to build their very first web page. Building a web site is as much creative as it is technical. Whether you want to create your own web site or just maintain it each month, you will need to know the Basic HTML language.
Basic HTML includes: Elements, links, backgrounds, lists, fonts and tables. By the end of the course, you’ll be knowledgeable and comfortable using HTML to create and edit your very own web site.
*** Who Should Take This Workshop? ***
Anyone interesting in learning the Basic HTML language. Even though you don’t need to be an internet or computer pro to take this workshop, you’ll need to know some computer basics: copy and paste, create folders on your computer and open and save a file. The only software required is Notepad which comes standard with the windows operating system. It is usually located under All Programs/Accessories.
Kathy Schindler’s previous experience as a web designer working out of her home has led her interest in teaching writers how to save money by creating their own web site. Kathy gave up her web design business to write full time. Currently she is working on her second contemporary romance manuscript.
Workshop:Dialogue that Dazzles: Watch Your Story Jump Off the Page
Instructor: Lori Wilde
Dates: February 4th - 18th, 2008
Cost: $10 for WRW members, $20 for nonmembers
(All registrants must provide their RWA membership #.)
See how to register via PayPal below
Dialogue that dazzles is about creating the most exciting, compelling conversations you’ve ever written. Stellar dialogue can make you story leap to life the way nothing else can. If you’ve gotten comments from editors and agents that your dialogue is trite or stilted or dull, we’ve got the cure for you.
This workshop is designed to teach you how to write fresh, natural dialogue that dazzles. You’ll learn new techniques for rewriting any lines of dialogue and improving them spectacularly. You’ll uncover secrets of incorporating these methods into your writing style. Learn how to make your dialogue stand out and dramatically increase your chances of selling your book!
Topics covered include:
1. What is great dialogue?
2. Using dialogue to breathe life into your characters
3. Creating expressive language
4. People rarely say what they mean--subtext
5. Subtext part 2
6. Structuring dialogue to match real conversations
7. Dusting your book with dazzling dialogue
8. And much more
Instructor Bio:
Lori Wilde has written forty-one novels for three major New York Publishing houses. She holds a bachelors degree in nursing from Texas Christian University and a certificate in forensics. She volunteers as a sexual assault first responder for Freedom House, a shelter for battered women.
Recently, she received a two book contract from Warner books based solely on a 25 word ‘high concept’ pitch. When the sale—along with the pitch—was announced on Publisher’s Marketplace, she was approached by eight film production companies—including Paramount and Warner Brothers—interested in optioning her completed novel for a movie. She is an instructor for a company who provides online community education to over 1500 colleges and universities.
Lori is a past RITA finalist and has four times been nominated for Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award. She’s won the Colorado Award of Excellence, the Wisconsin Write Touch Award, The Lories, The More Than Maggie, the Golden Quill and The BestBooks of 2006 Book Award.
Her books have been translated into 22 languages and excerpted in Cosmopolitan, Redbook, Complete Woman and Quick and Simple magazines. She’s appeared numerous times on the Walden’s book list and Ingram’s Top 50. She lives in Texas with her husband, Bill.
Some of Lori’s titles include:
ONCE SMITTEN, TWICE SHY 01/08
MY SECRET LIFE 09/07
THERE GOES THE BRIDE 3/07 Warner Books
REAL MEN DO IT BETTER 02/07 Anthology with St. Martin’s Press
SOME LIKE IT HOT 11/06 Harlequin Special Release
DESTINY’S HAND 06/06 Harlequin Blaze
YOU ONLY LOVE TWICE 03/06 Warner Books
ANGELS AND OUTLAWS 01/06 Harlequin Blaze
HOW TO REGISTER FOR AN ONLINE WORKSHOP WITH WRW:
There are only two steps to register: send a payment, then send an e-mail to the workshop coordinator with your details (including the payment confirmation number) requested below. **Please Note: These courses are open only to members of Romance Writers of America.**
Step 1: Payment
If you are paying for the workshop through Paypal (recommended) it is best if you make your payment first, that way you can include the Paypal Confirmation Number in your registration email. (Please note that you do not have to have a Paypal account to make a payment through Paypal.)
Please click on the “Click Here to Add a Note” line, so that you can copy & paste the name and date of the workshop that you’re registering for into the message box. If the email address that you use for Paypal is different from the email address you’ll be using for the class, please include your name and the email address you will be using for the online course, as well. That will help us to connect your payment with your email registration.
If you are a member of WRW, click the button below to pay your $10 registration fee:
If you are not a member of WRW, click the button below to pay your $20 registration fee:
If you are paying for the workshop by check, see below for further instructions.
Step 2: Email Registration Form
Whether you pay for the workshop through paypal or by check, please send an email to
Put the name of the workshop you’re registering for in the SUBJECT line of your email.
Then, copy/paste the following into the body of your email (filling in the required information).
Your Name:
RWA Number:
Email Address:
Phone Number:
Title of Workshop:
Date of Workshop:
Paypal Confirmation Number:
-or-
Check Number:
Once you have registered, you will be invited to join the online workshop prior to the class start date.
If paying by check, please also print out the short form above and include it in the envelope with your check.
Send an email to , to get the address for checks.
Please note, these workshops have already taken place.
December 2007
Workshop: Basic HTML – Building a Web Page
Instructor: Kathy Schindler
Date: December 3rd – 12th
Cost: $10 for WRW members, $20 for nonmembers
(All registrants must be a RWA member and provide their RWA membership #.)
See how to register via PayPal or mail below
Workshop Description
During this workshop, Kathy defines the elements needed to help writers learn enough Basic HTML to build their very first web page.
Building a web site is as much creative as it is technical. Whether you want to create your own web site or just maintain it each month, you will need to know the Basic HTML language.
Basic HTML includes: Elements, links, backgrounds, lists, fonts and tables.
By the end of the course, you’ll be knowledgeable and comfortable using HTML to create and edit your very own web site.
Who Should Take This Workshop?
Anyone interesting in learning the Basic HTML language. Even though you don’t need to be an internet or computer pro to take this workshop, you’ll need to know some computer basics: copy and paste, create folders on your computer and open and save a file. The only software required is Notepad which comes standard with the windows operating system. It is usually located under All Programs/Accessories.
Bio: Kathy Schindler’s previous experience as a web designer working out of her home has led her interest in teaching writers how to save money by creating their own web site. Kathy gave up her web design business to write full time. Currently she is working on her second contemporary romance manuscript.
Once you have registered, you will be invited to join the online workshop prior to the class start date.
For more information: Contact Kathy Schindler at: wrwdc_workshops@ yahoo.com
November 2007
Workshop: Basic HTML – Building a Web Page
Instructor: Kathy Schindler
Dates: November 12th – 21st
Cost: $10 for WRW members, $20 for nonmembers
(All registrants must provide their RWA membership #.)
See how to register via PayPal below
Course Description:
During this workshop, Kathy defines the elements needed to help writers learn enough Basic HTML to build their very first web page.
Building a web site is as much creative as it is technical. Whether you want to create your own web site or just maintain it each month, you will need to know the Basic HTML language.
Basic HTML includes: Elements, links, backgrounds, lists, fonts and tables.
By the end of the course, you’ll be knowledgeable and comfortable using HTML to create and edit your very own web site.
Who should take this workshop?: Anyone interesting in learning the Basic HTML language. Even though you don’t need to be an internet or computer pro to take this workshop, you’ll need to know some computer basics: copy and paste, create folders on your computer and open and save a file. The only software required is Notepad which comes standard with the windows operating system. It is usually located under All Progams/Accessories.
Author bio:
Kathy Schindler’s previous experience as a web designer working out of her home has led her interest in teaching writers how to save money by creating their own web site. Kathy gave up her web design business to write full time. Currently she is working on her second contemporary romance manuscript.
Workshop: Plotting through Character
Instructor: Alicia Rasley
Date: November 19th –December 3rd
If you’re writing character-centered fiction, your plotting should reflect the values, needs, and conflicts of the main characters. In this workshop, Alicia Rasley will explore how to plot a story that is unique to your protagonists.
October 2007
Workshop: Disaster! Or The Key to Hooking Your Readers and Keeping Them Turning the Pages
Instructor: Lori Wilde
Date: October 8-22, 2007
Cost: $10 for WRW members, $20 for nonmembers
Instructions for registration below
Course Description:
You’ve probably heard of Goal, Motivation and Conflict, but what about the most neglected, yet all important aspect of the Disaster? Learn how to build on goal, motivation and conflict to effectively use your scene outcome to hook your readers and keep them turning those pages.
The single most common failing in the manuscripts of newer authors is the inability to understand and successfully execute goal, motivation, conflict and disaster to create a gripping read. And yet it’s the most teachable element of fiction. Whether you’re a plotter or a seat-of-the-pants writer, this workshop will give your story the strong foundation it needs to grab readers by their emotions and keep them turning those pages.
Topics covered include
1. Stimulus and Response
2. Author Goals
3. Story Goals
4. Scene Goals
5. Motivation, Motivation, Motivation
6. External Conflict
7. Internal Conflict
8. Disaster!
9. Raising Story Stakes
BIO:
Lori Wilde has written forty-one novels for three major New York Publishing houses. She holds a bachelors degree in nursing from Texas Christian University and a certificate in forensics. She volunteers as a sexual assault first responder for Freedom House, a shelter for battered women.
Recently, she received a two book contract from Warner books based solely on a 25 word ‘high concept’ pitch. When the sale—along with the pitch—was announced on Publisher’s Marketplace, she was approached by eight film production companies—including Paramount and Warner Brothers—interested in optioning her completed novel for a movie. She is an instructor for a company who provides online community education to over 1500 colleges and universities.
Lori is a past RITA finalist and has four times been nominated for Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award. She’s won the Colorado Award of Excellence, the Wisconsin Write Touch Award, The Lories, The More Than Maggie, the Golden Quill and The BestBooks of 2006 Book Award.
Her books have been translated into 22 languages and excerpted in Cosmopolitan, Redbook, Complete Woman and Quick and Simple magazines. She’s appeared numerous times on the Walden’s book list and Ingram’s Top 50. She lives in Texas with her husband, Bill.
Some of Lori’s titles include:
ONCE SMITTEN, TWICE SHY 01/08
MY SECRET LIFE 09/07
THERE GOES THE BRIDE 3/07 Warner Books
REAL MEN DO IT BETTER 02/07 Anthology with St. Martin’s Press
SOME LIKE IT HOT 11/06 Harlequin Special Release
DESTINY’S HAND 06/06 Harlequin Blaze
YOU ONLY LOVE TWICE 03/06 Warner Books
ANGELS AND OUTLAWS 01/06 Harlequin Blaze
Workshop: Pitching Workshop
Instructor: Kelly St. John
Date: November 5-10, 2007
Instructions for registration coming soon!
Course Description:
Kelley St. John describes her first pitching experience in much the same way as a witness describes testifying in court. She told the book, the whole book, and nothing but the book. So help her God. Since that time, she’s learned that there’s no reason to sweat while pitching. In fact, pitching can be FUN!
During this course, Kelley defines four types of pitches and helps writers decide which method works best for their particular book. She’ll start with the Mini-Pitch, or GMC Pitch. For fans of Debra Dixon’s Goal, Motivation and Conflict, you’ll find this pitch is the perfect starting point. Then you’ll learn about elaborating on that GMC Pitch and generating your Cover Blurb Pitch. After we’ve got those pitches mastered, we’ll move on to the “Naked Pitch,” Kelley’s nickname for the “High Concept Pitch.” And finally, Kelley will cover the Multi-hook Pitch, another form of the popular Cover Blurb pitch.
By the end of the course, you’ll be ready to face that agent or editor appointment with gusto – with your smile in place, your confidence soaring, and your final response ready: “Sure, I’ll be happy to send the full!”
Author Bio:
Kelley St. John’s previous experience as a senior writer at NASA fueled her interest in writing action-packed suspense. She also enjoys penning steamy romances and quirky women’s fiction. Since 2000, St. John has obtained over fifty writing awards, including the National Readers’ Choice Award, and was elected to the Board of Directors for Romance Writers of America. She currently writes for Grand Central Publishing (formerly Warner Forever) and Harlequin Blaze.
NOTE: Your registration is not complete until you email your registration form. See instructions below.
Thank you for your payment. A receipt for your purchase has been emailed to you. You may log into your account at http://www.paypal.com/us to view details of this transaction.
To complete your registration, follow the instructions below:
Step 2: Email Registration Form
Whether you pay for the workshop through paypal or by check, please send an email to
Put the name of the workshop you’re registering for in the SUBJECT line of your email.
Then, copy/paste the following into the body of your email (filling in the required information).
Your Name:
RWA Number:
Email Address:
Phone Number:
Title of Workshop:
Date of Workshop:
Paypal Confirmation Number:
-or-
Check Number:
If paying by check, please also print out the short form above and include it in the envelope with your check.
Send an email to , to get the address for checks.
